Palm Springs Design Guidelines Workbook Final 7-22-05.Indd
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The City of Palm Springs Interim Downtown Urban Design Plan Adopted July 20, 2005 DOWNTOWN URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE The City of Palm Springs would like to thank the following people for their contributions to the development of the Downtown Urban Design Plan prepared by The Planning Center: City Council: Chris Mills Steve Pougnet Planning Commission: Marshall Roath Leo Cohen Design Community: Jim Cioffi, Architectural Advisory Committee Chairman Don Wexler, Retired Architect Mainstreet: Larry Pitts, Property Owner Bill Matthews, Downtown Business Manager Historic Tennis Club: Bill Davis Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation: Steve Nichols, Property Owner Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (ACBCI): Todd Hooks, Director of Economic Development Downtown Merchants Association: Joy Meredith, Business Owner Uptown: Tony Larcombe, Business Owner Historic Site Preservation Board: Bill Scott Palm Springs Art Museum: Dr. Janice Lyle, Executive Director Staff: Jerry Ogburn, Downtown Development Director John Raymond, Director of Community and Economic Development Jing Yeo, General Plan Update Project Manager Vision A dynamic, vital, and economically successful downtown that retains the historic and cultural character of Palm Springs and yet meets the changing needs of residents and visitors alike. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION & PUBLIC OUTREACH ................... 1 1. Introduction & Workshops ................................................................ 2 2. Visioning Map ......................................................................................... 5 3. Assets & Opportunities ..................................................................... 8 4. Ideas & Strategies.................................................................................... 12 DESIGN PRINCIPLES ........................................................................ 15 1. Urban Design Concept ...................................................................... 16 2. Streets & Circulation .......................................................................... 20 3. Parking ......................................................................................................... 26 4. Public Spaces & Gathering Places ............................................. 30 5. Land Use & Development / Districts ..................................... 34 6. Building Height, Orientation, Massing, & Design ........ 36 7. Landscaping ............................................................................................. 44 8. Signage, Lighting, & Street Furniture ...................................... 52 Introduction & Public Outreach Background Currently, a number of new, large scale development projects are proposed for downtown Palm Springs. These proposed projects, in varying stages of completion, are important to the downtown because of their location along Palm Canyon Drive and their large size. If completed, these projects are likely to dramatically affect the life, character, and vitality of downtown. They have the potential to infuse downtown Palm Springs with much needed economic and social energy while encouraging future development of other under-utilized sites. However, to ensure continuity between these new and future projects and the existing built introduction & workshops environment, a set of comprehensive downtown design guidelines is needed. Thus, to have the greatest possible impact on the future development of downtown, the downtown design element of the General Plan update was fast-tracked and this workbook produced to serve as design guidelines for future downtown development prior to the adoption of the complete General Plan document. History Historically known as the desert playground of the rich and famous, Palm Springs has a long and vibrant past. Originally a small railroad town, Palm Springs became world renown in the 1920s and 1930s when Hollywood stars began flocking to the desert to enjoy the warm, sunny climate. The stars brought with them the glamour and excitement of Hollywood, creating an unparalleled cultural oasis in the Coachella Valley. Time has brought about change in Palm Springs. Today it is no longer just a seasonal tourist destination, but also the home of many year-round residents. Some of the glitter of movie stars has worn off and many of the large retail stores that were so prominent in earlier times have moved on. However, Palm Springs is still recognized worldwide as a destination resort. It has many advantages that perpetuate the reputation of the city including the international airport, the village center, the convention center, numerous first class hotels, the Desert Museum, and a wonderful physical setting and climate. But if Palm Springs is going to maintain its preeminence, it must take steps to energize the community and ensure an ongoing vitality. This revitalization must start in the downtown because it is the heart of the city. The Study Area. Preparation Process & Workshops These interim guidelines were prepared to address the complex issue of downtown development. Drawn from input from local stakeholders at the Downtown Ideas and Directions Workshop and the Downtown Urban Design Workshop held on February 24, 2005, these design principles are intended to apply to downtown development. two The input of local stakeholders was an essential part of developing the design guidelines. On February 24, 2005, Moore Iacofano Goltsman (MIG) and The Planning Center hosted two downtown workshops at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort. The Downtown Ideas and Directions Workshop, which was held in the morning, was open to the general public. It was designed to create a forum for residents to express their visions for downtown Palm Springs and their opinions on current obstacles and opportunities in the downtown area. After a brief introduction and large group discussion about Palm Springs, the participants were broken into four small groups. Each group rotated between introduction & workshops four themed stations to facilitate directed discussion on the natural setting, social and economic trends, traffic and circulation, and the built environment of Palm Springs. After circulating through all of the stations, the groups came together for a final idea collecting and summarizing session. The Downtown Urban Design Workshop took place in the afternoon. In this session, select stakeholders, including several council members, planning staff, store owners, developers, architects, and a Tribal representative, were divided into three groups. Each group was asked to think about the best way to implement the concepts that had been developed in the morning session and to apply those ideas to a map of the downtown, creating examples of specific sites and strategies for future downtown development. At the end of the day, the three groups were gathered and each presented their maps and the concepts behind them. While there were differing opinions on many issues in both the morning and afternoon sessions, the workshops provided a useful forum for identifying the important issues in downtown Palm Springs and possible ways to address those issues. Drawn from these discussions, a concept map and set of downtown design guidelines (starting on page fifteen) were created to help shape the future development of downtown Palm Springs. Top: Participants in the Downtown Urban Design Workshop discuss strategies for downtown revitalization. Bottom: Participants draw their ideas on a map of downtown Palm Springs. three Page Intentionally Left Blank four ideas and directions workshop visioning map The above exhibit is a sample of the ideas and concepts that were captured during the Ideas and Directions Workshop. This illustration was taken directly from the wall graphic developed during the workshop. five Page Intentionally Left Blank six Page Intentionally Left Blank seven Participants in the Downtown Ideas and Directions Workshop were asked to think about the existing assets and opportunities in downtown Palm Springs. Below is a summary of the assets and opportunities they identifi ed. LOCATION – Palm Springs enjoys a desert climate, which assets & opportunities attracts people year round. Palm Springs also benefi ts from its location at the head of the Coachella Valley, close to I-10 and the Los Angeles metro area. HISTORY – Unlike many newer cities in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs has a rich social, cultural, and architectural history. This unique history creates a sense of place and character, which attracts visitors and residents alike to downtown Palm Springs. Due in part to its history, Palm Springs is internationally recognized as a premier tourist destination and desert resort city. MOUNTAINS – Downtown Palm Springs is located at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, resulting in spectacular mountain views to the west and a dramatic backdrop for the city. Downtown also has more distant views of the Little San Bernardino Mountains to the north and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the south. Top: View of the mountains from Tahquitz Canyon Way at Calle Alvarado. Mountain views along streets in the downtown areas should be preserved whenever possible. Above: Downtown is an eclectic mix of architectural styles with Modern and Spanish Colonial being the most prominent. This architectural history and variety sets Palm Springs apart from other desert cities and is an asset that should be preserved and enhanced. Right: The historic Plaza Theatre on Palm Canyon Drive is one of Palm Springs’ biggest cultural attractions. eight